FG pursues compensation over South Africa attacks

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File: President Tinubu

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The federal government says it is pursuing compensation for Nigerians affected by recent attacks in South Africa while strengthening diplomatic efforts to prevent further violence.

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Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosed this on Tuesday after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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He said the briefing followed Tinubu’s directive to receive South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s special envoy and foreign minister, Ronald Lamola.

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Enikanolaiye said he updated the president on commitments secured from South Africa, including activating an early warning mechanism and the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission.

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He also briefed Tinubu on the evacuation of about 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa following the attacks.

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“I thanked him for making the resources available. I also told him that two of the evacuation batches were funded by private individuals,” he said.

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The minister said the government had successfully evacuated many citizens but noted that some Nigerians still wished to return home.

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He said the government was exploring additional funding options to support further evacuation operations.

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Enikanolaiye said Tinubu agreed the attacks were “Afrophobic” rather than merely xenophobic, urging African countries to confront the growing trend collectively.

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“The President agreed with me that it is Afrophobic and that Africa must unite in ensuring that we put an end to this spiral of violence,” he said.

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He added that Tinubu’s cordial relationship with Ramaphosa would be leveraged to strengthen diplomatic engagement aimed at ending the attacks.

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On compensation, Enikanolaiye said the government had introduced a data collection process for Nigerians who lost property during the attacks.

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“We have designed a form to be filled by all Nigerians who may have lost property in South Africa.

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“We want to proceed on the basis of data and the quantum of losses they have suffered before tabling our claims,” the minister said.

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He stressed that Nigeria would continue negotiations with South Africa while retaining other options should diplomatic efforts fail.

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“Nigeria has options. We are not helpless in this situation. We would prefer diplomacy and negotiations until we arrive at a mutually acceptable outcome,” he said.

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Enikanolaiye also maintained that every Nigerian, regardless of immigration status, deserved protection under the law.

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“Whether they are regular or irregular, they are human beings. Criminals also have a right to life. You cannot hound and kill them because they are criminals,” he said. (NAN)

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